Major Snowstorm Blankets Northeast, Causes Travel Delays Nationwide

(KTVI)- On Friday morning, snow began to fall across the northeastern part of the United States. It was the beginning of what is expected to be a historic blizzard. The storm is forecasted to bring one to three feet of snow from New York City to Boston and on to the north.

Winds will also be a major problem for the New York and New England area with sustained winds blowing 30mph to 50 mph, with even higher gusts.

The heaviest snowfall is expected Friday night and into Saturday. Widespread power outages are expected. The other concern is coastal flooding in areas still recovering from Superstorm Sandy in October.

Airlines have canceled more than 4,000 flights through Saturday, which will affect travel nationwide. Logan Airport in Boston will remain open through the snow storm, but all flights were cancelled starting Friday afternoon. Some airlines may begin operating on Saturday.

The governor of Massachusetts banned all traffic from roads after 4 p.m. Friday. Rhode Island and Connecticut followed with driving bans. A 19-car pileup in Cumberland, ME Friday morning was blamed on the snow. Six inches had already blanketed the area.